World Cup 2018: David Beckham dares to dream of an England victory in Zurich

“This is our time.’’ Four words and a statement. Four words that signalled the
growing confidence in the England 2018 bid team.

They were spoken by David Beckham as he sat in his hotel suite here on Wednesday, looking out across the Zurich skyline and imagining the World Cup on England’s horizon.

Beckham has spoken to Sir Bobby Charlton about how the nation was gripped during 1966, has chatted to friends and family about how much it would mean to stage Fifa’s festival of football in 2018. England have deliberately eschewed any “football’s coming home’’ triumphalism in their campaigning, but not now, not with the vote so close, with executive committee members to convince.

A World Cup in England would be a carnival for foreign fans, embraced by football-obsessed locals. “We have the most passionate fans, we have the expectancy of a whole nation behind us and they want this more than anyone,’’ said Beckham. “Nowhere in the world has the support we have.

“I played in Spain for four years and a certain amount of fans travel to games, but not like in England. It’s the same with England, and the same all the way through the Premiership. I was watching the West Ham game and saw the amount of Manchester United fans that travelled down [5,500].’’

Beckham embodies the nation’s obsession with football. So does Prince William. “He is passionate about football,’’ smiled Beckham of the future king. “He was talking about Aston Villa yesterday and I was like, 'Villa? Really?’’

With David Cameron joining Beckham and Prince William in wooing the 22 executive committee members, England’s World Cup mission has turned into Three Men and a Vote. Beckham has admired their impact, enjoyed how the Prince has laid it on the line with the executive committee members, like Jack Warner.

“To have the future king of England turn round and say, 'Have we got your vote?’ is a good weapon – and he has a wedding coming up! He’s good because he is royalty. I am a traditionalist. We have watched these young kids grow into men, and to see Prince William and Harry now with the aura they have.

“When we first arrived there was a lot of negativity through the Panorama programme. That had to be addressed. You can’t sit down with president Blatter and not talk about it. The president guaranteed us that what happened won’t go against us for the vote. And I believe him.

“Me, Prince William and the Prime Minister arriving here has turned things around. You can feel the momentum now. We’re in a strong position.’’

Prince William and Beckham met Warner last night. “We know how important he is for our vote,’’ said Beckham. “I would like to think we have his support, but you never know. From the first day I met Jack, when we played over there [in Trinidad in 2008] with England, I’ve had a great relationship with him. That is one of the reasons I promised I’d go over and do a coaching clinic. I took my oldest son with me. He treated me like a family member.’’

Beckham enjoys coaching, envisaging himself as a midfield tutor for England in 2018. “In America those kind of roles are really important.’’

Beckham would find it awkward watching, as he did at South Africa. “I am passionate about England doing well, and when I am sat on the bench I am quite jittery. No one wants to be sat next to me on the bench.

“But I have no interest in finishing playing yet. You’ve been around for the [14] years I’ve played for England, and you know I would love to play for England again.’’

He still has an England role to play, as a coach, an ambassador and, he feels, with the Football Association.

“I would do anything to help England and the FA to be successful. It is really important to have involved players who have been at Manchester United and Arsenal, England players who have been to competitions. That experience is vital. You see Sir Trevor Brooking [the FA’s director of football development] and his experience is vital.’’

If given a post at the FA, Beckham would campaign for a winter break, reducing the injuries players suffer in spring. “We play through Christmas and that is such an important part of our history. But it does have to be looked at because we need our team to be right. Our game is so intense; everyone is fighting in every game. Other leagues have that winter break. I love playing over Christmas, but I felt the benefit of a week to 10 days off when I was in Spain.

“If we have a World Cup in our country we need a good performance from our players. We have young players coming through who will be ready for the World Cup. Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott are exciting players who are still young. Jack Wilshere reminds me of Liam Brady. He is very laid-back in how he plays, but he has that spark as well.’’

Beckham leant back in his chair, and looked out of the window again. As echoes of Nou Camp 99 always surround the former United midfielder, I asked him if he and the England bid were 1-0 down on Monday, where were they now? Were Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer coming on? “Yeah,” Beckham smiled. “Ole is warming up.’’